Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-11
THE LATE CITRUS FAIR.
Some Very Sensible Views and Conclu-
sions Upon the Subject.

sions Upon the Subject.
MARYsvILLE January 6, 1887.
EDS RECORD UNION A few words at
this time about the late Citrus Fair will
not, in my judgment, be out of place.
What l have to say is not intended as a
criticism, or to find fault with its manage
ment, but to point out what in my opinion
will be of benefit in future / notice with
regret that some exhibitors at the fair find
fault with the decision of the committee
in awarding the premiums, notably so in
Butte county, as l learn by reading the
Oroville Register.
There is no doubt that some reason for
complaint exists, but the fault is not all on
the part of the Committee on Awards, as is
well known by those who had a chance to
observe the general management of the
fair. The classification and manner of
entering exhibits was at fault, and was not
such as to give the Committee on Awards
fair opportunity to correctly determine
the merits of the different varieties of fruit
and other articles. There appeared to be
more competition and rivalry in an effort
at display and show than to exhibit the
quality and merits of their fruit. The
principal exhibitors continued to bring in
fruit and decorations until late in the third
day of the fair and the entries were not
made, nor fruit in place until after that
time.
There should have been correct CLASH
fication of all fruit and articles for which
premiums were offered, and no entries for
competition allowed later than noon of the
second day. The Committees on Awards
should have been named on Wednesday,
and the hall closed to visitors until 10
o'clock A. NJ. of Thursday and Friday, to
give the committees fair chance to exam
inc and sample the fruit and articles of
which they were to judge. If this had
been done, and competent persons selected,
there is little doubt but that the awards so
made would have been very satisfactory.
My experience in cur State and district
fairs leads me to the conclusion that pre-
miums should have been offered for the
best fruit and articles named, designating
the variety and amount of each to consti-
tute an exhibit, they to be classed and en-
tered by name and number, and awards
made accordingly; and, if desired, also give
second third and fourth premiums, accord
ing to merit.
if the managers desired large exhibits by
individuals, the amount should also be
stated of each variety constituting such
display, so that all competitors would
know what was required. In case of county
exhibits, the county showing the largest
number of exhibits of fruit and articles
named should constitute the first class: the
county showing the greatest number of
varieties the second class; the county
showing tie best general collection of
oranges, the third class, and the county
showing the best exhibit of lemons, lines
and citron, fourth class.
These, with the premiums offered by the
Southern Pacific Company for greatest
progress in citrus culture. would give en-
couragement TO all. Should it be desirable,
awards could also be offered for the best
arranged and most snowy exhibits; but,
in all cases, a stated amount of each article
for which premiums are offered should
constitute an exhibit, and the whole num-
Der of such exhibits from one county
should constitute a county exhibit.
The building of pyramids and encircling
the walls with fruit and evergreens should
only be classed as the most snowy or dec
orative exhibit. An exhibitor who can
show two dozen good oranges or lemons is
thus put on an equality with the larger
growers. so far as his exhibit goes, and is
thereby encouraged to make a show of
them, and is not deferred from it because
some other exhibitor brings u thousand of
one kind, as was the case at the late fair.
AS to any effort looking to division of
our district. or to that of county fairs, as
against one general fair, it should not be
thought of nor encouraged. Sacramento is
central place, the Capital of the State, and
we ought to continue to hold one general
Citrus Fair there each year for Central and
Northern California. The people of Sacra-
mento have been liberal and enterprising
in this matter, and are deserving of credit,
as well as the railroad company and Wells,
Fargo & Co., and all should continue to CO.
operate together. Let US remedy the defects
in our system of exhibits and awards, and
all pail together and make our Citrus
Fair permanent institution worthy of
Central and Northern California. And let
US remember that it is of little matter who
gets the premiums, but that it is of great
| importance to all that we hold a fair where
| the largest number of people will visit it.
and thus let it be known that we are not
second to any part of the world in growing
| these fruits and products.
The only fault feel inclined to find in
the matter is that the people of this county
did not take the interest in the success Of
| the fair that they should. Yuba county
ought to have had thirty or forty more ex-
hibitors of citrus fruit at the fair than she
did, and would have had them if those who
grow such fruit had each contributed a
dozen Or two of them for the occasion But
our display was very creditable. and those
who contributed to make 1t such are en-
titled to much credit.
That the fair was grand success is con-
ceded by all who saw it. That it will do
much good in bringing our great resources
into prominence cannot be denied. That
the fair should be made . permanent insti-
tuition, with headquarters at Sacramento, is
in my Judgment of very great importance
to Central and Northern California. There
fore let us commence the new year with a
resolve to give more care to our citrus
fruits; to plant more trees; to form COM
panies. TO the end that colonies be estab-
iished, groves planted, and large farms cut
up into small tracts, and thus in few
years We will find our streets crowded with
visitors and home-seekers, as is now the
case in Los Angeles and Southern eaiitor-
nia- T. J. SHERWOOD.